Fisher House Volunteers and Group Service Projects CNVAMC ( Helping Veterans and their families)

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Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Fisher House Volunteer and Group Projects

(*If you are interested in this position please send an email to Courtney.Deese@va.gov)

Our volunteers are one of the most vital parts of our mission. The Fisher House depends on volunteers and donors to enhance daily operation and program expansion. There are many ways for individuals or groups to volunteer to help us help our Veteran and military families. There are occasional volunteer opportunities for those as well as occasional opportunities for groups or individuals who are interested in volunteering once or every once in a while.

Community Outreach: As part of our community outreach program, the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Fisher House encourages small groups or individuals to tour the beautiful home for purpose of educating the community about our mission as well as volunteer and donation opportunities. While this outreach is important to us, the privacy, safety and security of families utilizing the home is our primary concern. Tours will be limited, scheduled and approved in advance by the Fisher House Manager. Tour requests outside the normal operating hours will not be approved.

As needed volunteers: These volunteers are on our "call in" list. They will mostly be asked if they can help when there are things going on after hours. These will include helping to manage groups or individuals who come in to do a special event after hours or to represent Fisher House at an event when the manager is unable. Basically, these volunteers will fill in for the House Manager after hours. When a volunteer is needed after hours, the manager will email the group to see who is available to help.

Kitchen Attendant: This volunteer will maintain & focus on the kitchen. They will re-stock, organize, and wipe down pantries & refrigerators. They will keep a shopping list of items needed. Discard any old items and replace with new. Focus on keeping the kitchen countertops & supplies clean & presentable. Lay out snacks and other items that may make it easier for guests to "grab and go." Assist guests who are unfamiliar with how to use certain appliances as well as helping them locate kitchen items if needed.

Cleaning ppl/Organizing Assistant: This volunteer needs to be detailed oriented in their cleaning skills. They will help keep the common areas of the house thoroughly cleaned (i.e.: kitchen appliances, etc.). Help cleans areas that are not done on a routine basis such as baseboards, walls, etc.

Kitchen/Storage Closet Organizer: This volunteer monitors the inventory of the "community" pantry and rotates stock to ensure freshness. Shops for replacement supplies when needed, keeps the storage closet in order (linens, toiletries, paper goods, etc.), and replaces items as needed.

Grocery Shopper: This volunteer will pick up items on our grocery shopping list once a week or as needed using grocery store gift cards we have.

Landscaping gardening Assistant: This volunteer will help make sure the yard is blooming and being well groomed and maintained. This volunteer may help get donations of flowers, etc. to plant if needed or be able to tell us what to purchase. This volunteer will also come in to help water the flowers if needed. They will also help manage community groups that come to help with the yard work.

Flower maker/arranger: This volunteer will make fresh center pieces for our dining room tables.

Special Events Planner/Community Outreach: This volunteer decorates the house for seasonal events and plans special events for families or solicits other groups to do so (i.e.: movie & popcorn night, July 4th barbeque, birthday celebrations for the kids, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, Halloween events, etc.) This volunteer will also help educate the community about the need for donations and help gather support as well as being creative to come up with holiday gift ideas for the families with what we have been given in donations.

Group Service Project Ideas: -Donation drives (see wish list).

-Make snack bags the families can take with them to the hospital (ask for ideas).

-Make welcome bags for each family (ask for ideas).

-Make sack lunches or pre-made meals the families can heat up later.

-Sponsor an event/activity for the families such as making a meal

-Make and bring in a holiday gift for each family.

- Bring in a meal for the families (breakfast, lunch or dinner).

-Drop off donuts, bagels/cream cheese, pizzas, etc. (ready to eat items)

-Make and bring in blankets for each family

-Bring in baked goods for the families or come bake in our home.

-Yard work-trash pickup, weeding, updating mulch/flowers/plants as needed. Basically, doing any landscaping or yard work that is needed.

-Deep cleaning of the home (baseboards, appliances, walls, doors, windows, etc.)

-Patio cleaning- sweep patio’s & walkways, wash windows, deep clean gas barbeque grill, wash down patio furniture, etc.

-Clean out and organize storage shed (as needed).

-Re-staining/Painting play set, pergola, shed & other wood features (as needed).

-Cleaning out gutters around outside of home.

-Make nice pampering kits to give out to the women. (facial supplies, nail supplies, etc.)

-Make fresh flower center pieces for our dining room tables.

Large project and items to sponsor:

• Professional deep cleaning service to clean the house annually

• Professional drapes & furniture cleaning
• Pressure washing of Fisher House, playground and walkways
• Parking lot restriping
• New front and back entry floor mat with logo ask staff
• New outdoor landscaping on going maintenance and sponsoring
• Large, new, Sunbrella for back patio (ask for details)
• Large park type shades for over playground
• New basketball goal
• Installation of new outdoor LED lighting around the house

WISH LIST FOR AUGUSTA FISHER HOUSE

Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1FFOWDNNF84IL

**Walmart gift cards, Visa or Mastercard Gas Cards: Shell or other gas cards Gift cards provide families opportunities to purchase items that they need.

· ** Paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates, plastic utensils, gallon freezer bags. Styrofoam cups 16 oz.

· ***Snacks: granola bars, peanut butter crackers, chips, pretzels, nuts, popcorn (individual bags). Frozen TV dinners, frozen pizza, frozen breakfast crossiants, oatmeal.

· Bottled water and soft drinks

· White towels and wash cloths

· Cleaning supplies: laundry detergent any brand must be HE, scrubbing bubbles, swifter wet wipes refill, lysol spray, pledge furniture polish, toilet bowl cleaner, All-purpose cleaner (spray bottle)

· Fresh fruit, instant oatmeal and grits (variety pack)

Liquid detergent (HE), Liquid Fabric Softener (not Downy)

· Regular Size Men and Women Spray Deodorant and Solid Deodorant and lotion

· Coffee Creamer in container and liquid, Almond Milk, Sugar, and Splenda.

· Provide a dinner for 30 guests to Fisher House families.

We do not except used items. Donor should know that 100% of every contribution goes directly to benefit the Fisher House. No donation is too small and every donation is appreciated. For more information please contact 706-729-5773 or 706-729-5776.